Attucks Theatre

The Attucks Theatre, located in Norfolk, Virginia, United States, was financed, designed and constructed by African American entrepreneurs in 1919. The theatre was designed by Harvey Johnson, an African-American architect. The theatre was named in honor of Crispus Attucks, an African American who was the first patriot to lose his life in the Revolutionary War. When it was first opened, Attucks Theatre was known as the "Apollo Theatre of the South." It has hosted performers ranging from Cab Calloway to Redd Foxx. The theater hosted numerous famous entertainers through the 1920s, 1930s, 1940s and early 1950s, including Norfolk's Gary U.S. Bonds and Portsmouth's Ruth Brown.[3]

Crispus Attucks Cultural Center
Theater in 2013
Address1010 Church Street
Norfolk, Virginia
United States
OwnerCity of Norfolk
OperatorCity of Norfolk
Construction
Opened1919
Reopened2004
Website
www.sevenvenues.com
Attucks Theatre
Location1008-1012 Church St., Norfolk, Virginia
Coordinates36°51′23″N 76°16′45″W
Area0.5 acres (0.20 ha)
Built1919
ArchitectJohnson, Harvey N.
NRHP reference No.82004575[1]
VLR No.122-0074
Significant dates
Added to NRHPSeptember 16, 1982
Designated VLRJuly 21, 1981[2]

The theater was added to the National Register of Historic Places on September 16, 1982.[4] After a three-year restoration, the theatre reopened in 2004 as a partnership between the City of Norfolk's Department of Cultural Facilities and the Crispus Attucks Cultural Center.

The theatre is located at the intersection of Church Street and Virginia Beach Boulevard, near Norfolk's entertainment and cultural attractions, including Harbor Park, Harrison Opera House, Norfolk Scope, Wells Theatre and Waterside.

Today, the Norfolk theatre is formally known as The Crispus Attucks Cultural Center. After extensive renovations, the theatre re-opened in October 2004. The theatre is currently owned and operated by SevenVenues, a department of the City of Norfolk.

References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. "Virginia Landmarks Register". Virginia Department of Historic Resources. Archived from the original on 2013-09-21. Retrieved 19 March 2013.
  3. "Welcome". Seven Venues. Retrieved 2009-10-24.
  4. "National Register of Historic Places; Annual Listing of Historic Properties" (PDF). National Park Service. 1982. p. 43.


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